Discover biostatistics at the University of Sydney
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Biostatistics is the application of statistical techniques to scientific research in health-related fields, including medicine and public health.
Biostatisticians play an essential role in designing research studies, managing and analysing data, interpreting the results, as well as developing new approaches and methods to analysing data.
Biostatistics can be used to show the most effective treatment, discover or isolate factors in the spread of diseases, or determine risk factors in genetic inheritance and mutation.
At the completion of this course, you will be qualified as a professional biostatistician.
Our biostatistics programs are designed for someone who:
There are no specialisations available for this course.
For academic requirements check the ‘Admission criteria’ section on this page.
We’ve relaunched our scholarships program and offer a variety of postgraduate coursework scholarships for both domestic and international students.
Continuing students enrolled in the Biostatistics Program are eligible for the Judy Simpson Biostatistics Scholarship, based on academic excellence. Check the Scholarships website or contact the Scholarships Office directly for more information.
We’ve relaunched our scholarships program and offer a variety of postgraduate coursework scholarships for both domestic and international students.
Continuing students enrolled in the Biostatistics Program are eligible for the Judy Simpson Biostatistics Scholarship, based on academic excellence. Check the Scholarships website or contact the Scholarships Office directly for more information.
Applications are made directly to the University and assessed by the Faculty.
*As part of your application you will be required to submit a completed `Student Contact, Choice of Units of Study & Credits/Waivers form for the Biostatistics Collaboration of Australia (BCA).
Standard closing dates:
Semester 1 - 11 February of the same year.
Semester 2 - 15 July of the same year.
We strongly encourage applicants to apply as early as possible, offers are made on a rolling basis and places are limited. Separate scholarship deadlines apply. Please check the relevant website for details.
Semester 1 (March) or Semester 2 (August)
International Students are able to apply for this degree, however it is not open to ESOS visa holders. The course is open to international passport holders in Australia on working visas and for offshore students.
Overseas applicants may apply directly to the University.
*As part of your application you will be required to submit a completed `Student Contact, Choice of Units of Study & Credits/Waivers form for the Biostatistics Collaboration of Australia (BCA).
As an off-shore international student, you will be studying for your degree in your own country.
It is not possible to complete these courses as an international student in Australia unless you have a work visa. Off-shore international students are not accepted directly into the Masters degree, but may apply for the Graduate Diploma. You may then upgrade to the Masters when eligible if suitable arrangements can be made for supervision of the workplace project(s).
Standard closing dates:
Semester 1 - 31 January of the same year.
Semester 2 - 30 June of the same year.
We strongly encourage international applicants to apply as early as possible to allow time for visa and travel arrangements. Separate scholarship deadlines apply. Please check the relevant website for details.
Semester 1 (March) or Semester 2 (August)
View a suggested Biostatistics course structure (pdf, 70KB).
The biostatistics program is offered at three award levels graduate certificate, graduate diploma and master's degree. Completion of either the graduate certificate or graduate diploma programs can be used as credit towards the Master of Biostatistics degree.
The Master of Biostatistics is a three-year part-time degree, consisting of 72 credit points, including :
The biostatistics units of study are predominantly delivered online. The only units of study which are not available online are:
A complete list of available units of study with their pre-requisites and co-requisites is here.
A successful applicant for admission to the Master of Biostatistics will:
(a) hold a bachelor's degree in statistics, mathematics, science, psychology, medicine, pharmacy, economics, health sciences or other appropriate discipline from the University of Sydney or equivalent qualification; and
(b) have a proven aptitude for advanced mathematical work - indicated, for example, by a high level of achievement in high school or undergraduate mathematics; and
(c) have already passed an introductory course in statistics covering, at least, the estimation of means and proportions with confidence intervals, and the comparison of means and proportions between two groups using hypothesis tests (i.e. t-tests and chi-squared tests for 2x2 tables).
Note that this course must be separately and formally assessed, and that the amount and level of statistics covered in the usual medical degree is not sufficient to meet this criterion. In exceptional circumstances the dean may admit applicants without this qualification who, in the opinion of the school, have qualifications and evidence of experience and achievement sufficient to successfully undertake the award.
As part of your application you will be required to submit a completed `Student Contact, Choice of Units of Study & Credits/Waivers form for the Biostatistics Collaboration of Australia (BCA), which is a supplementary form required in the admissions process. You will also need to provide a copy of your passport (or proof of residency), a copy of your bachelor degree testamur and your academic transcript.
The content in our biostatistics units of study are both theoretical and applied. If you prefer to study biostatistics at an applied level, you may wish to consider the following:
The graduate diploma and masters program are accredited with the Statistical Society of Australia.
The Master of Biostatistics will provide you with advanced biostatistical training ensuring that you are well placed to obtain employment in a wide range of health, pharmaceutical, university, government and non-government organisations. If you are already working as a biostatistician, then study at postgraduate level will enhance your career development opportunities.
"Some of my colleagues had already completed this program and were very positive about it so I decided to look into the course. It was very well designed to cater to the needs of students from different backgrounds, specifically, to study biostatistics systematically. The subjects were delivered online which not only makes it possible for me to juggle work, study and family commitments, but it also gave me access to the best teaching staff across all of Australia.
The Master of Biostatistics provided me with the opportunity to fill gaps in my statistical knowledge and enhance my understanding of other topics. The subjects on epidemiology and public health were very enjoyable, practical and relevant to my work as a biostatistician. This course has significantly enhanced my career prospects and in the future I am keen to apply my statistical and research skills in a range of different areas and develop my career as a statistician and researcher.
I highly recommend the course to those interested in biostatistics, epidemiology, and public health."
